Ask Yourself One Question Before You Add An Island To Your Kitchen

Islands have become a staple of kitchen design — so much so that having one can have a real impact on your home's resale value. Loved for their versatility and functionality, islands can offer extra storage, add surface area for food prep or serving, and even act as a gathering space for family and friends. However, islands don't work in every kitchen. Before adding an island to your kitchen, consider whether you have the right space and layout to make it work.

When it comes to kitchen design, efficiency should be a top priority. In many cases, adding an island to the mix can enhance that efficiency by improving organization and giving you a central point in the kitchen where you can spread out the workflow. If you're dealing with a small space or a quirky layout, however, it could disrupt the flow of your kitchen — and end up doing more harm than good. Your kitchen could end up feeling too cramped and become less functional. 

There are some guidelines you should know to help determine whether you have enough space to add an island. The rule of thumb is there should be at least 3 feet between your island counter and other cabinets or appliances. If you're planning on having seating at the island, you need to tack on some additional space behind the chairs to allow people to walk behind when someone is seated. 

In terms of the island size, you usually want the minimum to be 2 feet by 4 feet, which would provide some additional surface area for food prep. Another common recommendation is to keep the island at no more than 10% of the floor space in the kitchen. If your kitchen is too small to accommodate a 2-foot by 4-foot island with adequate clearance while following the 10% rule, you might want to skip it. If you're working with a small kitchen, you may even consider adding a bar cart instead of an island as a unique kitchen island alternative that HGTV's Jasmine Roth suggests for small spaces. If you have the room and want to add storage and seating, a 3-foot by 6-foot island should do the trick. You can go larger than that if you have room to play with, but it's essential to make sure you're maintaining enough clearance around the island.

One way to get an idea of how your kitchen would flow with an island is to lay painter's tape on the floor where the island would be. You could also make a temporary island by propping up a piece of plywood that has been cut to size. Try living with that layout for a few days to see whether adding an island makes the space feel cramped or disrupts how you move around your kitchen. While you may find it to be a great addition to your space, you might also discover that adding an island would be a mistake that may make your cooking tasks harder.